There are folks out there considering skipping their GLP1 shot this week so they do not miss out on their holiday extravaganza - because Aunt Gail makes the best stuffing, or they live for their Mom’s sweet potato casserole, or because Thanksgiving or Christmas is their favorite food holiday.
If I search social media, the number of people asking ‘Is anyone else thinking about not taking their shot this week?’ would make my head explode.
Ive been a force in bariatric weight loss for 24 years and have been dragged merciless at times because of my hard line stance on many weight loss topics - this one will probably be controversial too but I stand firm on it.
If you are thinking about maybe not taking your shot this week… STOP. Just stop, grab a coffee, clear your mind, have a seat and let’s chat.
My short and long term goal is to get to goal weight! I want to be 145 pounds in November, December, January, in July and August and forever. It costs as much as $1500 a month for the privilege of taking these magic GLP1 drugs and I am not fooling around. I had my stomach cut in half and intestines bypassed 24 years ago and at age 63, this is it.
Think this through with me. If you are considering skipping a dose so you can eat and drink MORE on a holiday, a vacation, a party, your anniversary, a cruise, or any special event… you my friend, have Fat Brain, but the good news is that there is help.
Jumping off and then back on the GLP1 train for a special occasion is completely disordered thinking and it is why you are obese, morbidly obese or have a large bariatric regain. It’s not the actual food, or your body not metabolizing properly, it’s your relationship with food. It is you. Fat Brain has your voice. Stop listening to her.
It is critical to recognize that your brain is wired to think that more is always better. That a special occasion will be LESS unless you can eat MORE. That birthday means nothing without a special dinner ending with cake. That a slab of lasagna has to be finished and is nothing without garlic bread. That you must try everything. That buffets are way too expensive because you cannot eat ‘your moneys worth’. That food volume achieves greater happiness.
Try and shift your perspective! I’ve overindulged my entire life and missed out on nothing. Today, with the help of these GLP1 medications, I choose to respect myself, embrace the seriousness of not just taking but INJECTING my crazy expensive Zepbound and am good with not cleaning my plate while wearing size 8 jeans.
The Little Black Dress and heels I can wear to a party make up for the joy I used to find in eating my way from one end to the other of an antipasto table. I used to LOVE to have 3 Cosmopolitans, straight up martini style, a couple of nights a week at Happy Hour yet I have not had a cocktail in months, of course it’s the weight loss meds. Do I miss cocktails? Yes, but is what I have gained in pure joy worth it? Oh hell yeah!
Find your happiness from somewhere other than a heaping plate of food! Take your shot as usual and live within the bounds of your new and slimmer life! You’ll be so proud of yourself. If you are taking a therapeutic dose, that shot should slap a backbone of willpower in you like you’ve never felt before. It should make you feel like WONDER WOMAN or SUPERMAN. If not, let us help you in our Bariatric GLP1 Facebook Group as you are not maximizing your GLP1 potential and may need to dose up.
Those who believe they can start and stop the meds for 'Special Occasions' so they can ‘enjoy themselves’ will have short lived success. Hopping on and off a GLP1 med is the exact opposite of the healthy mindset that it takes to truly live at a goal weight. Im NOT saying we cannot eat carbs or sweets or that you should not eat a roll or slice of pie. Dish up what you would like but let the meds guide your fork. However, please please please, do not skip the medication in order to purposely sabotage your short and long term goal by eating more.
Thanksgiving is about gratitude for what you have. Holidays are wonderful celebrations, but find your smile in your surroundings instead of a larger than normal portion of the corresponding foods. More food is what got us the invite to the Tirzepatide party.
I still love food, but it’s no longer first in my life. With bariatric surgery I would often be sad about what I could not eat, but with Tirzepatide my food noise is shut off at such a high level, I don’t care about eating or not eating. It is simply not an issue. The Artichoke Dip has left the building.
It’s hard to explain if you cant feel the GLP1/GIP meds in the way many of us do, but at full therapeutic dose, I no longer care. At all. This year I have hesitation about cooking Thanksgiving dinner, as I know that once I make my wonderful Pumpkin Cheesecake with candied ginger in the crust, I will eat 3 bites and be done. Is this how normal people feel about a cheesecake in their fridge? Maybe, and this is my new normal and I am thrilled to be here.
Again, if you cant see yourself feeling this way, please let us help you adjust your dose so you can fly through the end of this year much lighter and with a big ole smile on your face. Say Goodbye to Fat Brain, she was never your friend. Happy Holidays!
